Barbe-bleue (1901)
Directed by Georges Méliès

Film Review

In this early short film, Georges Méliès uses his extraordinary range of talents to create a work of art which is both entertaining and, for its time, a huge technical achievement.  This is Méliès' first attempt at making a film with the narrative structure of a play and should be considered as the earliest example of the kind of plotted film we are familiar with today.  The multi-talented Méliès had a hand in every part of his film - including conception, set design, acting, direction and editing.  The result is a work that has stood the test of time remarkably well and is considered one of best adaptations of the Bluebeard story.

What makes this a particularly rewarding cinematic treat are Méliès surreal embellishments - in particular the startling dream sequence in which Bluebeard's wife is tormented by the spirits of his former wives and an array of giant keys.  With its imaginative flair and well-constructed narrative, the film prefigures the director's better known and even grander Le Voyage dans la lune (1902) and Le Voyage à travers l'impossible (1904). Méliès was ahead of his time in more ways than one: watch out for the first example of product placement in cinema history as a giant bottle of Mercier champagne makes a surprising appearance in one scene.

Film Synopsis

The wealthy Lord Bluebeard has had seven wives - all have died in mysterious circumstances.   Despite his great age, he decides to marry an eighth time and invites many nobles to his court to present their daughters to him.  A young woman is selected and the marriage ceremony hastily conducted.  After their lavish wedding feast, Bluebeard tells his new bride that she can enter any room in his castle except for one, which she must always avoid.  Curious, Bluebeard's wife enters the forbidden room whilst her husband is away and is horrified to see the corpses of his seven former wives hanging from a beam...